EMMAUS, Pa. — The St. Ann School Chorus and band took the stage Wednesday night for their annual spring concert, filling the school gym in Emmaus with music as families packed the audience to celebrate the end of the school year.
While the event highlighted the choir and band’s work over the past year, one performance stood out as especially meaningful.
That moment centered on 10-year-old Victoria Russell, a student who underwent a liver transplant earlier this year and continues to recover.
The Sing Me a Story Foundation partnered with the St. Ann School Chorus to premiere an original composition, “Victory-Victoria,” based on Russell’s story, drawing from her words and experiences, including her Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World.
“I think it was a beautiful song. I think it was beautifully written,” said her mother, Chantal Russell, who heard the piece for the first time during the concert.
She said she chose not to preview the performance in advance. “I wanted to be surprised. I wanted to see her reaction, like everyone’s reaction that were going to come out and support her,” she said.
Composer Thomas Schuttenhelm said the goal was to translate Russell’s experience into music that could resonate with the community.
“This is so important to be part of the community and to provide something meaningful for a child through music,” he said.
Music teacher Ariel Scholz said the collaboration had a strong impact on the students. “To have this music actually written for us, for our choir and for Victoria. It just makes it meaningful in a whole different way,” she said.
“I just want to thank every single one that has been involved in this journey and I know that will continue to be here on this journey,” Chantal Russell said.
As the final notes echoed through the gym, the audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation for Russell and the performers.